Tracker-bar mechanism



Sept. 23, 1924.

T. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1 Juan/0r I a -;////Ez///c/5 he 1/19.

Sept. 23, 1924.. 1,509,315

- T. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Filed May 16 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIII Sept. 23; 1924 1,509,315

T. M. REIMEVRS v TRACKER BAR mncmmsu Filed May 15, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 5 ments and consists of Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE M. REIMERS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SMITH, BARNES &

STROHBER 00., OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRACKER-BAR MECHANISM.

Application filed May 16, 1922. Serial No. 561,455.

To all 'LUILOHL it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE M. REIMnRs, a subject of the King of Denmark, and a resident of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tracker- Bar Mechanism; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tracker bar mechanisms for musical instruthe matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient mechanism for maintaining full registry between the perforations of the music sheet and the openings in the tracker bar.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a mechanism of the kind, which is of simple and economical construction, with comparatively few parts capable of production at small cost and which is so arranged and correlated with the music sheet mechanism, that it may be readily installed in old player pianos or may be embodied in new pianos, without material changes in the construction of said pianos.

A still further object of the invention is to provide amechanism. which is extremely sensitive and quick in its operation so that positive registry is maintained at all times.

The aforesaid objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawing-z- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a tracker box mechanism of'a player piano, embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the same on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal detail sectional view taken on the line 4+4: of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of several of the parts shown at the right hand end of g 1, th so of aid part n a han ed relation, 2

Figures 6 and 7 are vertical detail sectional views taken on the lines 66 and 77 respectively of Fig. 5;

Figure 8 is a vertical detail sectional View on a further enlarged scale, as taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the bracket plates in which the ends of the tracker bar are supported.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied to the familiar player piano :-l0 indicates the open front tracker box or casing of the player piano. Said box includes the spaced upright side walls 11 and 12 respectively, a top wall 13 and a bottom wall or board 14 which is extended beyond the side wall 12 for the support of the operating gearing and motor.

15 indicates the perforated music sheet wound on a spool 15 which is removably connected to horizontal. shaft parts 16 and 17 journalled in suitable bearings provided therefor in and near the top ends of the side walls 11 and 12 of the tracker box. The shaft part 17 extends beyond the side wall 12 where it has bearing in an upright standard 18, which is one support for the unwinding and rewinding gear train. 19 indicates the spool upon which the perforated music sheet is wound in the playing operation. Said roll is mounted on horizontal shaft parts 20 and 21 respectively journalled in suitable bearings in and near the bottom ends of the side walls 11 and 12 of the tracker box in the usual manner. The shaft part 21, like the shaft part 17, extends beyond the side wall 12, where it has bearing in the standard 18.

22 indicates the tracker bar. This tracker bar is a channel bar with a convexly rounded front wall 23 and top and bottom horizontal flanges 2425. The front wall has the usual row of openings 26 with which are connected the nipples 27 (see Fig. 2), one nipple for each opening 26. To said nipples are connected the flexible tubes 28 which in turn are 'onnected to the rigid tubes 28' secured to the back wall of the casing 10. The ends of the tracker bar 22 are. supported in bracket plates 29 (see Figs. 1 and 9) secured to the front edges of the upright e d a l ll an 2 at he box the ai end walls being cut away or notched in line with the tracker bar so that the front wall of the tracker bar is flush with the front edges of said upright end walls. Each bracket plate has a front flange which is screwed to the front-edges of'the associated side wall and a side flange 31 which engages with the inner surface of said side wall. In each side flange is provided a centrally disposed opening 32 in the ends of the tracker bar hav bearing.

3 indi a es. a h zontal r d hea clos h e e e t e tr ck r bar 2- T i re is non-rotative hut-mqvable lengthwise and eerr es onpqse guid pla es. .5, wh ch ere-"ag the edges of the. music sheet 15. The rod extends through and has sliding bearing sup- .a stop lip 6 (see Fig. 3). A

11 71; i holes 33in he b a k t Plate 29 (see Fieui-e 9.)- .Eaoh g ide, as shown, a vertically elongated plate, with a sleeve 36 at its bottom end-engaged upon the rod A partofthe metal forming the sleeve i out dhe t back b ween its en s o fo ial pin tired to the rod 3a in the opening left in the s e v by t e lip 36 s engaged y a leaf spring 38 attached to the rear face of the guide plate. Said spring normally urges the guide plate outwardly to hold the perforated music sheet 15, substantially taut, the outward swing of the plate heing limital ribe agemen of t ater i 86a a ns e s ud a d th p n by 11- gagenr entv through the hole in the sleeve ac ing 9 lo k th 1 1M ga nst mo m n lengthwise of the rod. Each guide plate h a a e rm d to defin s w e to e ve he edge f t mu sh et and to hold it from accidental disengagement'with the guide plate. its the sheet weaves or shifts laterally a corresponding me ms t is mpar d t the gu d Pla e 35 anda resultant endw se movement to the rod 34;. The right hand end 34? of said rod 3 extends heyond the right hand wall 12 for a purpose which will appear later. Secured to the rod 34, near the flanges 31 oi":- the tigns in the usual way, as follows:

bracket 30, are small collarsS which limit the end se mo m o said d- 7 he shaf s 17 n 21 Of t e pools. 1 and 15 are driven in their respective direcl indicates a pneumatic motor mounted on the end extension of the bottom wall or board li-f Said motor drives a crank shaft 42 which carries a sprocket wheel 43 at. one end (see 1), l i indicates a horizontal drive arranged intermediate the shaft parts 1 and 21. This shaft 14 has hearing between its'ends in the standard 18, and at its ends inupright standards 45 and 41 6 respectii tely, the one (45.). being fixed to. the outer ta tar c 'ofthe' ar i l 12nd" t e ether (i es ied to a d r s t m he t i i's iai of the bat en ita is a she-am iii cent to the standard {l5 is an elongated spur pinion 48 which meshes with a spur gear 49 on the winding spool shaft part 21. Loose on the shaft 445 near the bar 18 is a sprocket wheel .whichpthrough a chain 51 drives a sprocket 52 on the musicroll shaft part 17. 53 indicates acombined clutch shifting an braking ba whic is pivoted at a point i tem ediateits nds on a bracket 5ei-extend- 111g aterally from the side wa l 2- Said le er carries a P 55 which extends. into. a

per pher l sleeve in one end of the'pinion 4:8, n said p n n has a longitudinal pin .6. which, when the pin on is shifted end- W se in one direction extends into the path of a similar pi 57. on the sprocket 50fso t lbe driven t e e y. The bottom end of the lever is connected in any convenient manner with the actuatingmember in the control bQaICl of thcPiZiIlQ, While the tOp end of sa d le r coac swith the brake shoe .8 assoc ate with a di c .9 on the shaft P W h ii the lever 5.3 is in the posit on shown in Fig. 1;, he PiIliQn LSZWill d i e the gear o wind the perforated sheet 11 .11 the spool 18 and, When said lever s n s. o her nos ti tflw i kk fi is clutched or connected to the pinien 48 through the pins 56-1157 to. drive the shaft P 1 o. rew nd he perfor ted sheet upon th $110.01 1.

58 indicates it relatively short horizontal f a ged shcrt distanc below the W nding; pool s a pa 21.- The righ head n 5 is scr whre de and extend t 'c gh a eaded h le n the standard. 46.,

of the bottom flange 25. of the tracker bar 22.

- Fined to the threaded end 5% of the, Shaft adiecent h s andard- 4:6; i a camps-ratively' large metallic disc; 64, the periphery qtf which is provided with fine gear teeth 65. To one face of saiddiSe isfsecured a fibre disc (see Fig. 7') to deadcn the ring .1" r eimnc n. said disc when. e g ged by another toothed member as will laterap- P arx d. t the shaf 5 b w n t standard .18 and the disc 64,, is a spur gear 67. This gear. meshes with a small spur gear 68 lease n a steel: 6 ee Fig 6) whi h i fixed in n a m 9-. e ba man. an. of

said arm engages the grooved hub teem gear 67 and the top end of said arm is forked as at 72 (see Fig. 6) to embrace opposite sides of the shaft 44. The arrangement of the arm 70 is such that it cannot move endwise with respect to the associated shafts 4458 nor can there be a rotativ'e movement of said arm; consequently the two gears 67 and 68 are always maintained in their proper relation. Fixed to the face of the gear 68 adjacent the disc 64, is a substantially small disc 73 having its periphery provided with fine gear teeth.

75 indicates a. peripherally grooved collar, endwise movable on the shaft 44 between the vertical planes of the discs 64 and 73. Said disc carries a longitudinal pin 76 at its right hand end which extends through a hole 77 in the web of the sprocket wheel 47. By this construction it is apparent that the collar 75 may be shifted endwise on the shaft 44 between predetermined limits and still be driven rotatively by the sprocket 47. The right hand end of the collar is provided with fine teeth 78 adapted .to mesh with the teeth 65 of the disc 64 when the collar is moved in one direction, while the left hand end of the collar is reduced in diameter and is provided with fine teeth 79 (see Figs. 1 and 7) adapted to mesh with the teeth of the disc 73 when the collar is moved endwise of the shaft in the other direction. The teeth 78 and 79 are cut in parts of the collar 75 which are diametrically smaller than the collar and its hub part, so that shoulders are provided which engage the marginal faces of'the discs 64 and 73 and limit the endwise movement of the collar 75 in both directions. The collar 75 is provided between its ends with a peripheral groove 80 to receive the forked end 81 of an arm 82 (see Figs. 7 and 8), the other end of which is fixed to the extreme right hand end 34 of the rod 34 before mentioned.

The operation of the tracking mechanism is as follows :lVhen a roll is being played, the marginal edges of the sheet 15 pass over the guide plates and over the tracker bar 22 on the way to the winding spool 19. Should the sheet shift or weave laterally toward the right so that the perforations in the music sheet move out of register with the openings on the tracker bar, an endwise movement in the same direction is imparted to the shift rod 34 and collar 7 This will move the teeth 78 on said collar into mesh with the teeth 65 of the disc 64 and rotate said disc and the shaft 58 to which it is fixed, in one direc tion. By reason of the screw threaded bearing which the end 59 of said shaft 58 has in the standard 46, an endwise movement is imparted to the shaft 58. Said movement of the shaft will, through the collar 60 and angle bar 62, shift or pull the tracker bar 22 to the right to bring the openings in the same to again register with the perforations in the music sheet. As said shaft 58 moves endwise toward the right under the screw thread action beforementioned, the disc 64 will move away from and out of mesh with collar 75, the parts all remaining in this last position as long as the perforations in the note sheet and the openings in the tracker bar 22 register.

It is to be noted that, upon the engagement of the teeth 78 with the teeth 65 of the disc 64, aring or resonance might 0ccur by reason of the diametric size of the disc, but, because of the fibre disc 66 on said metal disc, this ring or resonance is eliminated.

Should the perforated music sheet now shift or move laterally toward the left, the collar is caused to move endwise toward the left by means of the shift rod 34 until the teeth 79 on the reduced end part of the collar 75 meshes with the teeth of the disc 73 which through the gears 68 and 67 will rotate the shaft 58 in a direction the reverse of that just described. This reverse rotation of the shaft, with its threaded end 59, will cause said shaft to move endwise toward the left, a like movement being imparted to the tracker bar through the angle bar 62, to bring the openings in the tracker bar again into register with the perforations in the music sheet. By reason of the end wise movement of the shaft 58, the arm 70 moves in the same direction withdrawing the disc 73 from mesh with the teeth in the reduced end of the collar 75. Thus no matter in what direction the music sheet shifts or weaves, the tracker bar is shifted endwise to follow the weave of the music sheet, so that complete registry is maintained at all times.

With the fine teeth used in the various discs, no noise is produced when the discs are moved int-o mesh. While I have described the said discs as provided with teeth, other suitable engaging peripheral parts or formations may be employed, permitting operative driving connection between them.

The improved registry mechanism is extremely positive and quick in its action and is quite sensitive in operation so as to accommodate any minute weaving of the music sheet. The device is noiseless and does not include such small parts as will wear rapidly and thus develop a loose play which must be taken up by fine adjustments.

The stops 34 on the shift rod 34 prevents accidental or careless displacement of the rod, by hand or otherwise, beyond the limits of the endwise movement which it is intended to have.

After amusic shcct has been once played and it is rewound upon its roll, it has been found by actual operation that,up ona replaying of the music sheet, no weaving occurs in the same. o 7 While in describing my invention I have referred to certain details of mechanical construction and arrangement of parts, I do 7 not wish to be limited thereto except as is pointed outin the appended claims. I claim as my invention 1. A tracker mechanism for automatically operated musical instruments comprising in combination, an end-wise movable tracker bar, a control member movable with the lateral movement of the music sheet, a rotative endwise movable shaft connected to the tracker bar, said shaft having a threaded bearing to impart limited endwise movement in either direction to said shaft, spaced driven members fixed to said shaft, and a able rodoperatively engaged with the music sheet, and a deviceon the drive shaft actuated by said rod in the weaving of the musicsheet for directly connecting said normally inactive means to the drive shaft for shifting the tracker bar.

3. In combination with a music sheet roll supporting shaft and an endwise movable tracker bar over which the music sheet is drawn, a drive shaft for the music sheet roll, an endwise movable shaft adjacent the drive shaft, operatively connected to the tracker bar, and means on the drive shaft actuated in theweaving of the music sheet for con necting the drive shaft directly to said second shaft and imparting an endwise movement thereto.

4. Ina mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll element, and a tracker bar element, the one ele ment being endwise movable with respect to the other, a shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, a drive shaft for the music sheet roll element, and means on the drive shaft operable in the weaving of the music sheet for directly rotating said endwisemovable shaft to produce an :end- Wise relative movement between said elements. 7 V f i 5. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll element, and a tracker bar element, the one elementbeingendwise movable with respect to the other, a shaft mounted for endwise movement- When rotated, a member operatively connecting'said shaft with a tracker bar, and means operable in the weaving of the sheet for rotating said shaft, the endwise movement of which is transmitted through the said connecting member to the tracker bar. 7 7 7 1 6. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination ofa music sheet roll and a tracker bar adapted for endwise movement, a shaft, means for supporting said sh aft, one end of said shaft having a threaded engagement in said supporting means, so that when said shaft is rotated an endwise movement is imparted thereto, a deviceconnecting the shaft and tracker bar, and means operable in the weaving of said music sheet for rotating said shaft.

7. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll ele 'ment, and a tracker bar element, the one element being endwise movablewith respect to the other, a drive shaft for the music sheet roll element, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, 'a- 'bar connecting, said second shaft with one of said elements, and meanson the drive shaft operable in the weaving of the music sheet for directly connecting said second shaft to the driveshaft.

8. In a mechnism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll and an endwise movable tracker bar, a drive shaft for saidroll, a second shaft mounted'for endwise movement when rotated, a device connecting said second shaftwith the tracker bar, a'rod,endwisemovable in the weaving of the music sheet, and coacting meanson said shafts adapted to be o-peratively connected by said rod, for rotating said second shaft I directly from, thedr-ive shaft.

9. In a mechanism offhe kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll and an endwise movable tracker bar, :a drive shaft for said roll, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, a deviceconnecting said second shaftwith the tracker bar, a rod, endwise movable in the weaving of the music sheet, gearing onsaid second shaft for rotating the same in eitl1er direc tion, a collar slidable on thedrive shaft into and out of engagement with said gearing,

and means connecting the collar with said rod, I

19. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheetroll and an endwise movable tracker bar, a drive shaft for said roll, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, av device connecting said second shaft with the tracker bar, arod, endwise movable in the weaving of the music sheet, two sets of spcced gears fixed to said second shaft, a gear collar on the-drive shaft, intermediate said setsof gears, and. an arm connecting said rod with said collar whereby said; collar is shifted in the endwise movement of the rod into and out of engagement with either gear set.

11. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of spaced, upright standards, a drive shaft journalled therein, a sec ond shaft, one end of said second shaft being journalled in one of said standards and the other end of said shaft being threaded through the other standard, spaced gears on said second shaft, and a gear collar slidable on and rotative with the drive shaft in a plane between said gears and adapted tobe moved into engagement with either, whereby said second shaft receives a simultaneous rotat-ive and endwise movement.

12. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of spaced, upright standards, a drive shaft ournalled therein, a second shaft, one end of said second shaft being journalled in one of said standards and the other end of said shaft being threaded through the other standard, a large gear fixed to said second shaft near one of said standards, a second gear having a hub fixed to said second shaft near the other standard, an upright plate carried by the gear hub and engaging the drive shaft, a third gear journalled on the plate and meshing with the second gear, and a gear collar on the drive shaft adapted to be moved endwise of the drive shaft into operative engagement with the large gear or said third gear.

13. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of spaced, upright standards, a drive shaft journalled therein, a second shaft, one end of said second shaft being journalled in one of said standards and the other end of said shaft being threaded through the other standard, a large gear fixed to said second shaft near one of said standards, second gear having a hub fixed to said second shaft near the other standard, an upright plate carried by the gear hub and engaging the drive shaft, a third gear journalled on the plate and meshing with the second gear, and a gear collar on the drive shaft adapted to be moved endwise of the drive shaft into operative engagement with the large gear or said. third gear, said gear collar including peripheral shoulders which revent its being shifted beyond engagement with said large and said third gears.

14. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll element and a tracker element, the one being endwise movable with respect to the other, means actuated in the weaving of the music sheet for imparting an endwise movement to one of said elements, a rod operatively engaged with said last mentioned means, and guide plates carried by said rod and engaged with the margins of the music sheet, said guide plates having end flanges defining channels to receive the edges of said music sheet, said flanges overhanging said edges so that said edges cannot become displaced therefrom.

15. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of an endwise movable rod, guide plates on said rod over which the margins of the music sheet must pass, said guide plates being pivoted on said rods to swing within certain limits, and springpressed means between said rods and plates urging said plates toward the music sheet.

16. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll element and a tracker element, the one being endwise movable with respect to the other, means actuated in the weaving of the music sheet for imparting an endwise movement to one of said elements, a rod operatively engaged with said last mentioned means, guide plates carried by said rod for engaging the margins of the music sheet so that said rod is moved endwise under the weaving action of the music sheet, and means on said rod for limiting the endwise movement thereof.

17. In combination with a tracker box having side walls, bracket plates fixed to the said side walls, said bracket plates each including a front flange adapted to be screwed to the front edges of said side walls, and a side flange adapted to engage the inner surface of said side walls, said side flanges having openings therein to receive the ends of a tracker bar, and in which said tracker bar has bearing for an endwise movement.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I aflix my signature in the )resence of two witnesses, this 11th day of May, 1922.

THEODORE M. REIMERS.

IVitnesses:

NELLIE SULLIVAN, T. H. ALFREDS. 

